Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 07/18/2010.

When Hopelessness Turns to Bitterness

Ruth 1:19-22

I Thessalonians 4:13-14
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who  are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God  will bring with him those who have  fallen asleep.”

I. The Journey Home (Ruth 1:19)

I Peter 3:3-4
“Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

II. Naomi’s Bitterness (Ruth 1:20-21)

Hebrews 12:15
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”

Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Romans 6:5, 11
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (11) “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

I John 3:1-3
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself”

III. The Hope of Harvest  (Ruth 1:22)

2 Corinthians 4:10-12
“always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Application:

1.  Warren Wiersbe- “We can’t control the circumstances of life, but we can control how we respond to them.  That’s what faith is all about, daring to believe that God is working everything for our good even when we don’t feel like it or see it happening.”

2.  Your life is NEVER empty in Jesus Christ if He alone is your true Treasure (John 10:10).

3.  God has NEVER wronged you or sinned against you- trust in His goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness during your trials.

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